The 1996 Audi A8 has 2 safety recalls and 1 owner complaint on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (1 complaint).
Recalls2safety recalls
Complaints1filed by owners
Crashes · fires0 · 0reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Power train › Automatic transmission
NHTSA recall 08V397000 · Aug 14, 2008 · 13,900 vehicles
Problem: VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING 13,900 MY 1996-2003 AUDI A8 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 5-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THE LOCKING CABLE MAY MOVE OUT OF POSITION OVER TIME. WITH THE LOCKING CABLE OUT OF POSITION, THE SHIFTER CAN BE MOVED OUT OF THE "PARK" POSITION EVEN IF THE IGNITION KEY IS NOT IN THE IGNITION LOCK.
Risk: THIS COULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO ROLL, CAUSING A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION LOCKING CABLE BY INSTALLING AN ADJUSTING PIECE THAT WILL SECURE THE LOCKING CABLE IN PLACE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 12, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AUDI AT 1-800-822-2834.
Air bags › Frontal
NHTSA recall 97V175000 · Oct 8, 1997 · 39,300 vehicles
Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE DISCHARGE OF STATIC ELECTRICITY UNDER LOW HUMIDITY CONDITIONS CAN ACTIVATE THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG WHEN THE DRIVER ENTERS OR EXITS THE VEHICLE AND FORMS AN ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT BY TOUCHING CERTAIN AREAS OF THE STEERING WHEEL.
Risk: ACTIVATION OF THE AIR BAG UNDER THESE CONDITIONS CAN CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A GROUND WIRE ON THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Service brakes, hydraulic Foundation components › Disc › Rotor
1
0
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Apr 1, 1999Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Rotor THE FRONT ROTORS ON THE 1998 AUDI A8 WARP AFTER VERY SHORT USAGE. WE HAVE COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER AND THEY HAVE RESURFACED THE ROTORS, AND THE PROBLEM QUICKLY RE-OCCURS. THIS CAUSES MILD TO SEVERE STEERING WHEEL OSCILLATION UNDER MODERATE BRAKING, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LIFT UP ON BRAKES. AUDI DEALER, AND MANUFACTURER SHOULD REPLACE COMPONENTS WITH ADEQUATE DISC SUCH THAT THERE IS NO REOCCURRENCE. CAN CAUSE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES AND STEERING ERRORS. *AK
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.